Guinness Record Book Collecting

Home    History    Editions    Miscellany    People    FAQ    News    Index    About

U.K.

1950s 1960s 1970s

1980s 1990s 2000s

2010s2020s

Specials Private

Related

U.S.A.

Hardback • Paperback 

Related

World

FrenchGerman

Nordic Specials

Rest of World

General

Blunders Games

Collecting Music

Encyclopaedias

Facts & Feats

Film & TV Sports

Food & Drink

Miscellanea Guides

Records Pick & Mix

History Language

Toys & Gifts Others

Catalogues

Odds & Ends

Website Copyright
© book-of-records.info

2007-2024

Private Special/Company Editions

 

There are two distinct classes of "special" Guinness Book of Records; this page documents the private editions that were specially bound for companies to present to their staff and customers. For similar editions not from the U.K. or U.S.A., please see our section detailing Special Editions from Other Countries. Our Special Editions page is the place to find editions that were produced by Guinness as promotional gifts, or are standard editions that were produced as "deluxe" (or "soft back") editions for sale to the public.

 

In general, books in both classes have cosmetic alterations only - the book's content is the same as the standard edition published that year. Even so, dedicated collectors will most certainly be keen to find such editions to complete their collections. If you know of any other private editions, please let us know.

 

1956

Grosvenor Motors Ltd Special Inscription

Edition

5

Text

To Record Our Appreciation Of Your Patronage.

Grosvenor Motors Ltd

 

 

 

1958

Lucas Gas Turbine Equipment Limited Leather Binding

Edition

7

Text

Several leather-bound copies are known: six personalised with the initials F.C.C., J.J.R., C.S.K., L.A.W., F.N. and Dr.S.G.H on the cover, and three copies with no personalisation (left).

 

The flyleaf has the company name (below) and logo, and the words, "Birmingham and Burnley, England".

Lucas Gas Turbine Equipment Limited was dissolved in 1994.

 

1958

Luxor Radio Special Inscription

Edition

7

Notes

This copy has an inscription in gold lettering for Luxor Radio, which reads, "To Record Our Appreciation of Your Patronage". Luxor Radio was a Swedish home electronics company established in 1923 and acquired by Nokia in 1985.

 

1960

Dormer Special Binding & Dust-jacket

 

Edition

8

Cover

Black with Green Dust-jacket

Text

DORMER PRESENT THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS

THE SHEFFIELD TWIST DRILL & STEEL CO. LTD. ENGLAND

 

The inside front cover flap says, "Dormer are constantly setting up new production records".

 

The back cover flap has the Head Office address (Summerfield Street, Sheffield 11, England) and a list of locations where "complete stocks carried" (London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester).

Notes

The Sheffield Twist Drill and Steel Company produced Dormer cutting tools. The company was bought by the Swedish company Aktiebolaget SKF in 1975. In 1993 it changed its name to SKF & Dormer Tools UK Sales Limited and became Dormer Tools Limited in 1993.

 

1961

Carsons Paints Special Inscription

Edition

9

Notes

This copy was discovered in October 2007. It has a standard "Fully Revised Edition" dust-jacket, but the cover has the inscription "CARSONS PAINTS" in red lettering.

(Image courtesy of Martin Renshaw)

 

1962

Tom Sheldon Ltd Special Inscription

Edition

10

Notes

This copy has an inscription for "Tom Sheldon Ltd" in gold lettering. Tom Sheldon Limited was a bookmakers in Birmingham, founded in 1954 and dissolved in 2010.

 

 

1965

Dormer Special Binding & Dust-jacket

 

Edition

12

Cover

Orange with Green Dust-jacket

Text

DORMER PRESENT THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS

THE SHEFFIELD TWIST DRILL & STEEL CO. LTD. ENGLAND

 

The inside front cover flap says, "Dormer are constantly setting up new production records".

 

The back cover flap has the Head Office address (Summerfield Street, Sheffield 11, England) and a list of locations where "complete stocks carried" (London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester).

Notes

The Sheffield Twist Drill and Steel Company produced Dormer cutting tools. The company was bought by the Swedish company Aktiebolaget SKF in 1975. In 1993 it changed its name to SKF & Dormer Tools UK Sales Limited and became Dormer Tools Limited in 1993.

Notes:

  1.  Compliments slip for this private edition is also known:

(Photo: Bruce Read)

 

1965

Lucas Gas Turbine Equipment Limited Special Binding

Edition

12

Notes

Several different copies are known: four personalised with the initials F.L.S., D.E.C., C.S.K. S.G.H. and H.T.C. on the cover, and one with no personalisation.

 

This was a follow-up presentation edition which "would be welcomed for family and lunch-time quizzes".

 

Lucas Gas Turbine Equipment Limited was dissolved in 1994.

 

1965

Whessoe Limited Special Dust-jacket

 

Edition

12

Front Cover

PRESENTED BY

WHESSOE LTD

 

M. J.  Noone,  O.B.E.,  Managing Director,

presents  this  volume  on  the  eve  of  the

Institution    of   Gas   Engineers'   Autumn

Research Meeting  November  22nd,  1965.

Back Cover

The back cover highlights some "Whessoe Firsts" – including those in "Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessels", "Storage Spheres", "Cryogenics" and "Storage Tanks" – along with the slogan, "Research Keeps Whessoe Ahead".

Notes

The Whessoe company can trace its roots back to 1790 in Darlington, and is now a subsidiary of Samsung C&T.

 

1965

York Special Inscription

Edition

12

 

 

 

1966

Lion Special Binding

Edition

13

Notes

This copy has the initials A.G.W. on the front cover, so copies may have been personalised for company employees.

 

 

 

1968

Atlas Stone Special Inscription

Edition

15

Notes

The Atlas Stone Company was founded in 1902, and taken over by Eternit in 1975.

(Image courtesy of Adam Henley)

 

1968

HP Special Binding

Edition

15

 

 

1968

Phipps Plastic Products Limited Special Inscription

Edition

15

Notes

Possibly a company incorporated in 1938, which became "Kleeman Plastics (Tipton) Ltd" in 1992 and dissolved the same year.

 

 

1968

Victor Kent Special Binding

Edition

15 (South Africa)

Notes

An extra page in this edition says "This Book comes to you with the compliments of  THE VICTOR KENT GROUP OF COMPANIES".

 

The notes say that, "Victor Kent began operations in Johannesburg in 1920, when the late Mr. Victor Kent supplied wire rope and rope fittings to the Gold Mines and Collieries" and continues, "The Invicta Bearings Company has been formed to supply a complete range of ball and roller bearings throughout South Africa". It concludes, "It is hoped that this latest Guinness Book of records will give much pleasure to our friends who have been associated with the growth of our company".

 

A copy with a different company logo on the front cover is also known:

(Images courtesy of Michael Dorfling)

 

1968

Walter S. Fry Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

15

Text

Symbol of Service

Notes

Possibly the Walter S. Fry Ltd. that was a builders merchant, bought by Sandell Perkins in around 1970. Now part of Travis Perkins.

 

 

1968

Wellman Machines Limited Special Edition

Edition

15

Notes

Wellman Machines Ltd of Darlaston in Staffordshire.

 

 

1968

Unknown Special Binding

Edition

15

Notes

The cover of this edition is similar to the Directors' Special Edition.

 

 

1969

Conflow Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

Possibly the Sheffield-based manufacturer of safety systems for the mining industry.

(Image courtesy of Robert Ailwood)

 

1969

Drilling & Prospecting International Ltd Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

Possibly from Croydon, Surrey. Incorporated in 1960 and dissolved in 2001.

 

1969

GPT Special Binding

Edition

16

 

 

1969

McKECHNIE Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

McKechnie Plastic Components make the widgets for Guinness cans, so this could be the same company.

 

 

1969

Tirfor Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

Tirfor Ltd: Pulling, Lifting & Handling Equipment, Sheffield. Tirfor was incorporated on 25th May 1954, becoming Tractel (UK) Limited in May 1999.

 

 

1969

Tri-Wall Containers Limited Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

Tri-Wall Containers Limited was incorporated in 1963 and became Tri-Wall Limited in 1984.

 

 

1969

Turriff Special Binding

(Photo courtesy of Nigel Clarke)

Edition

16

Notes

Turriff Construction was incorporated in 1962 but is now dissolved.

 

We have a copy of this edition (right) with the Turriff logo covered with a white panel which has the words, "SIXTEENTH EDITION - 1969" in black.

 

 

1969

Unknown Special Binding

Edition

16

Notes

The cover of this edition is similar to the Directors' Special Edition

 

 

1970

Chemidus Plastics Limited Special Binding

Edition

17

Notes

Chemidus Plastics Limited hold a number of Canadian patents from the late 1960s, so could be a Canadian plastics firm.

 

 

1970

Concentric Pumps Limited Special Binding

Edition

17

Notes

Of German origin, Concentric Pumps Limited was founded in Birmingham in 1921.

 

 

1970

 Henry Balfour and Company Limited Special Binding

Edition

17

Text

Henry Balfour and Company Limited, Leven. Scotland.

Notes

Founded by Henry Balfour in 1810, acquired by Pfaudler Permutit Inc. in 1962.

 

1970

 Mercury Secretarial Services Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

17

Text

Mercury Secretarial Services Ltd.

30 Baker Street London W1M 2DS 01-486 5353

With Compliments and Best Wishes

 

1970

Mind Boggler Special Binding

 

Edition

17

Notes

The top prize for the 1970 "Bottled Guinness Mind Boggler" competition was a luxury cabin cruiser.

 

A letter accompanying this edition (below left) says:

 

"..... One of your customers is a runner-up in the recent Guinness Mind-Boggler Competition.

This means that you have won one of our specially bound copies of the latest Guinness Book of Records.

We hope you will have many hours of amusing and instructive reading.

Congratulations - and many thanks for all your help in making this promotion so successful."

(Letter image courtesy of Steve Redshaw)

 

1970

T&M Special Binding

Edition

17

Text

For Structures In Steel

 

 

1970

Unknown Company Special Bindings

Edition

17

Notes

Stylised logo on the copy to the left could be "CS" or "OCS" and the second copy below could be "H". Please let us know if you have additional information on these copies.

  

 

1971

Albert Marston & Co Ltd Special Binding

Edition

18

Text

With the Compliments of Albert Marston & Co Ltd

Wellington Locks and Hardware

Notes

A lock manufacturer from the Wellington works in Willenhall. Bought by Chubb in 1971.

 

 

1971

Arnold & Nathan Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

18

Text

With the Compliments of Arnold & Nathan Ltd. Group of Companies

Notes

Arnold & Nathan Ltd. was a general construction & civil engineering company in Uxbridge (dissolved 2001)

 

 

1971

Caird & Rayner Special Binding

Edition

18

Text

777 Commercial Road, London, E. 14, England

Notes

Caird & Rayner manufactured sea water distilling plant for Royal Navy vessels, Cunard liners (including the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and the QE2), and so on. The company was dissolved in about 1995.

 

 

1971

Davis Trunking Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

Davis Trunking Limited is no longer trading under that name, but may be part of "Eleco plc"

 

 

1971

F. E. Weatherill Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

18

Text

Compliments

F. E. Weatherill Ltd.

Loading Shovel Manufacturers

Notes

Founded in Tottenham in the late 1940s (later moved to Welwyn Garden City); dissolved in 1991.

 

 

1971

Richard Graefe Limited Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

A wood products manufacturer; now Graefe Ltd of Thame, Oxfordshire.

 

1971

Hago Special Binding

Edition

18

 

 

1971

Huddersfield Building Society Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

Founded in 1864, now part of the Yorkshire Building Society.

 

 

1971

Lilleshall Group of Companies Special Binding

 

Edition

18

Notes

The spine says "Guinness Book of Records 1972".

 

An extra page lists the seven companies in the Lilleshall Group in the U.K. and Nigeria.

 

"The Lilleshall Company Limited began in 1764 as a partnership to work the coal, iron and limestone deposits in the area. In 1802 the partnership was reorganised and adopted the name of The Lilleshall Company and on 30th December, 1880 became a limited company".

 

 

1971

M & J Engineers Ltd (M J Plant Hire) Special Binding

 

Edition

18

Notes

Equipment rental firm established in 1955.

  • The back cover has a simple logo (right).

  • An additional page in the book lists the company's locations:

London, Hitchin, Rochester, Northampton and Croydon.

 

 

1971

Metal Closures Limited Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

The company is believed to have been founded in 1959 and is now part of Alcoa Closure Systems International (UK) Limited.

 

 

1971

Oxy Metal Special Binding

Edition

18

Text

Oxy Metal Finishing Europe

Efco Limited

Sheerwater Woking

Surrey England

Telephone Woking 5971

 

 

1971

Sterling Special Binding

Edition

18

 

 

1971

Ulrich Manufacturing Company Limited Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

Ulrich Manufacturing Company (GREAT BRITAIN) Limited was in Amersham and dissolved in 1998.

 

 

1971

Wakefield Fortune Special Binding

Edition

18

Notes

Wakefield Fortune Ltd. was a UK-based travel agent which was acquired by Hogg Robinson Travel in 1983.

(Picture courtesy of Graham Hawkins)

 

1971

Unknown Company or Unmarked Special Bindings

 

Edition

18

Notes

The copy pictured above left has the name G. N. REYNOLDS on the cover; similar copies with other names on the front cover are also known:

P. E. BALDWIN

H. L. COMER

D. T. HODGKISS

F. W. HOWSEMAN

D. M. JAMES

R. A. JOHNS

M. G. PRINTER

D. SCOTT

J. G. SUTCLIFFE

These are clearly copies produced for individuals within a company, or gifts for important customers of that company.

 

The edition pictured below left is similar to the Directors' Special Edition, but is a different colour.

 

1972

Balfour Kilpatrick Installations Ltd. Eastern Region Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

Presumably the well-known electrical installation contractors

 

 

1972

B T Glenwood Special Binding

Edition

19

(Photo courtesy of Pete Tatum)

 

1972

Butler Foundries Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

Front cover has a "UNISOC" logo (Unisoc Automation), and says:

 

Butler Foundries Group of Companies Ltd.

Coppice Side Industrial Estate Brownhills WS8 7HD Walsall

 

Unisoc Automation was founded in 1970 and the Butler Foundries group appears to have been dissolved in 2002.

 

1972

Clark Masts Ltd Special Binding

Edition

19

Text

Clark Masts Ltd, Binstead, Isle of Wight.

Notes Founded in 1954 in South West London, the company relocated to Binstead on the Isle of Wight in 1962 where it remains to this day.

 

1972

DDL Special Binding

Edition

19

 

1972

George E. Taylor & Co. Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

A company named "GEORGE E. TAYLOR & CO. LIMITED" was dissolved in 1987.

 

 

1972

Irlam Engineering Special Binding

Edition

19

Text

F.WRIGHT & SONS (SUPPLIES) LTD.,

IRLAM ENGINEERING CO. (1942) LTD.,

GROSVENOR STREET,

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.

Notes

Irlam Engineering was incorporated on 27th November 1942 and dissolved on 7th May 2000.

 

1972

Morganite Ceramic Fibres Limited Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

Incorporated in 1966 and now trading as Thermal Ceramics UK Limited.

 

 

1972

Peter Cassidy (Leeds) Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

19

Text

With the Compliments of

Peter Cassidy (Leeds) Ltd.

Lifting and Hydraulic Engineers

Holbeck Lane

LEEDS LS11 9XA

Tel. 34403 & 25457

Notes

Peter Cassidy Ltd. was founded in Hull in 1921. The Leeds business opened in 1961.

(Image courtesy of Roberto Magagnin)

 

1972

Salt Riley (Builders) Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

19

Text

With the Compliments of

SALT RILEY (Builders) LTD.

HIGH ST. - SANDYFORD - TUNSTALL

TELEPHONE

STOKE-ON-TRENT 87390 84579

Notes

Salt Riley (Builders) Limited was incorporated on 5th April 1966 and dissolved on 16th December 1997. Salt Riley Limited was itself dissolved on 11th December 2007.

 

 

1972

SMC Special Binding

Edition

19

 

 

1972

Thomas Allen Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

Possibly incorporated in 1920 and dissolved in 1998.

 

 

1972

Turriff Special Binding

 

Edition

19

Notes

Turriff Construction was incorporated in 1962 but is now dissolved.

 

In late 2015, a Turriff-Taylor (possibly a different company) edition appeared on eBay.

 

 

1972

Ulrich Manufacturing Company Limited Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

Ulrich Manufacturing Company (GREAT BRITAIN) Limited was in Amersham and dissolved in 1998.

 

 

1972

Weston Special Binding

Edition

19

 

 

 

1972

Wultex Machine Co. Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

19

Text

Wultex Machine Co. Ltd,

Machine Makers, General Engineers and Colliery Engineers

Progress Works, Ivy Street East, Aspley, Huddersfield HD5 9AF

Notes

Wultex Machine Co. Ltd. was established in 1946.

 

1972

Unmarked Special Binding

Edition

19

Notes

An unmarked copy with a fake leather cover.

 

1973

A. P. V. Mitchell (Dryers) Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

20

Text

A.P.V. MITCHELL (DRYERS) LTD.

DENTON HOLME  CARLISLE  CA2 5DU  ENGLAND

TELEPHONE: CARLISLE 24205  TELEX: 64199  CABLE: DRYERS CARLISLE

Notes

Mitchell Dryers Limited is a privately owned engineering company originally founded in 1859.

 

[Photo courtesy of Jo T, whose Grandfather was Managing Director of A. P. V. Mitchell (Dryers) Ltd.]

 

1973

The Birmingham Mica Co. Limited Special Binding

Edition

20

Text

With the Compliments of

THE BIRMINGHAM MICA CO. LIMITED

PLASTIC MOULDINGS AND CONTROL KNOBS

Notes

The Birmingham Mica Company was incorporated in May 1911, became BM Mouldings Limited in 1992 and dissolved in 1998.

 

1973

Columbian International (Great Britain) Limited Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Columbian International was formed out of several companies (with origins in the early 20th century) involved in producing inks, paints, markers, etc.

 

 

1973

Craven Industries Ltd Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

The logos on the front represent Craven Industries Limited, Cravens Homalloy (container manufacturers from Sheffield, England) and Taskers Trailers (formerly Taskers of Andover, latterly the Craven-Tasker group)

 

 

1973

Crossroads Commercials Ltd Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Crossroads Commercials Ltd - Volvo Truck Distributors for Yorkshire (Cleckheaton and Hull)

 

 

1973

Hartwells Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Hartwells - a car dealership based in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

(Image courtesy of Bruce Read)

 

1973

Hobourn Transmissions Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Logo: Hansen Hobourn. Company: Hobourn Transmissions Ltd., Priory Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent.

 

 

1973

Hussey & Greaves Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Hussey & Greaves was founded in 1958 (nature of business: Retail books, newspapers, etc.) and still operates in the field of Design, Computer and Office Supplies & Equipment.

 

 

1973

J. I. Case Company Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

An extra page gives the Head Office details of J. I. Case Company as "Grangefield Road, Stanningley, Pudsey, Yorkshire LS28 6JP".

12 companies are listed on the same page.

 

 

1973

John Lee & Son (Grantham) Limited Special Binding

 

Edition

20

Notes

An extra page (below left) shows the company profile and business areas:

  • Steel Stockholders

  • Profile Division

  • Fleet Steels Division

  • Steel Reinforcement

  • Sack and Bag Merchants

  • Textile Merchants

  • Scrap - Ferrous and Non-Ferrous

  • Haulage Contractors

The company was dissolved in 1997.

 

 

1973

M & J Engineers Ltd Special Bindings

 

Edition

20

Notes

Equipment rental firm established in 1955.

  • Both Red and Blue covers are known to exist.

  • The back cover has a simple logo (right).

  • An additional page in the book lists the company's locations:

North London Office, North London Depot, Kent/Essex Depot, Kent Depot Small Tools Div., Herts./Beds. Depot, Northampton Depot, South London Depot and Birmingham Depot.

 

 

1973

Peter Pan and Wendy Special Binding

Edition

20

(Photo courtesy of Bruce Newman)

 

1973

Serck Services Special Bindings

 

Edition

20

Notes

Possibly an industrial heat exchanger company, part of the Unipart Group.

 

 

1973

Watson Norie Limited Special Binding

(Photo courtesy of Simon Taylor)

Edition

20

Notes

Watson Norie Limited

Wincomblee Road

Walker

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

NE6 3PL

Watson Norie Ltd. were a firm of Electrical and Instrumentation Contractors. The company was incorporated in 1920 and liquidated in 2008.

 

1973

William Bailey (Birmingham) Limited Special Binding

Edition

20

Notes

Fabricated metal products manufacturer incorporated in 1923, which changed its name to Bailey Gill Products Limited in 1977 and was dissolved in 2008. 

(Photo courtesy of Steve Tanti of the Hedge End bookshop)

 

1973

Unknown Company or Unmarked Special Bindings

 

 

Edition

20

Notes

Stylised logo on the first copy could be "DP". The second book has a limp leather-style binding.

 

James McConnell has sent us a photo of another unknown company edition from this year (right).

 

A boxed copy (right) appeared on eBay in July 2009.

 

Please let us know if you have additional information on any of these copies.

 

 

1974

G.K.N Rolled and Bright Steel Limited Special Binding

Edition

21

Notes

Presumably the Cardiff-based steel manufacturer, incorporated in 1922 and dissolved in 1986.

 

 

1974

Griflex Products Ltd Special Binding

Edition

21

Notes

Hose and Tubing manufacturer based in Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Ruabon, Wales.

 

 

1974

Myson Special Binding

Edition

21

 

 

1974

Petbow Special Binding

Edition

21

Notes

Petbow brushless generating and welding sets

 

 

1974

Refrigerator Contracts Ltd Special Binding

Edition

21

 

 

1974

R. E. Nevill Engineering (Westbury) Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

21

Text

With the compliments of

R. E. Nevill

Engineering (Westbury) LTD.

TEL. 2103 & 2206

Notes

R. E. Nevill Engineering was dissolved in 1993.

(Image courtesy of mellyz2008)

 

1974

Woodville Rubber Company Special Binding

Edition

21

Text

Presented by the Directors of Woodville Rubber Company

Notes

Woodville Rubber Company Ltd. (later Woodville Polymer Products) was founded in 1948.

 

 

1974

Unknown Company or Unmarked Special Bindings

 

(photo: Bruce Read)

Edition

21

Notes

The lower left edition has a stylised "AF" logo.

 

We also have a copy bound in a red cover in its original box (pictured right)

 

 

1975

Brooks & Walker Special Binding

Edition

22

Notes

A valve manufacturer, with head office at Lytcott Grove, East Dulwich, London, SE22 8QU and branches in Bristol, Cardiff, Falkirk, Immingham, Liverpool, Milton, Neyland, Nottingham, Southampton, Stockton and Wolverhampton

 

 

1975

Duffy & McGovern (Great Yarmouth) Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

22

Notes

Offshore Contractors.

 

 

1975

Eddison Plant Limited Special Binding

Edition

22

Notes

Some copies were from:

 

Eddison Plant Limited

Shaw Street

West Bromwich

West Midlands

B70 0TX

 

 

1975

JFP Catering Special Binding

Edition

22

Notes

JFP Catering Specialists

"Award for Staff Training"

 

 

1975

Lilleshall Group of Companies Special Binding

 

Edition

22

Notes

The spine says "Guinness Book of Records".

 

An extra page lists the seven companies in the Lilleshall Group in the U.K.

 

"The Lilleshall Company Limited began in 1764 as a partnership to work the coal, iron and limestone deposits in the area. In 1802 the partnership was reorganised and adopted the name of The Lilleshall Company and on 30th December, 1880 became a limited company".

 

 

1975

Unmarked Special Bindings

 

Edition

22

 

 

1976

Charles Wicksteed & Co. Ltd. Special Binding

 

 

Edition

23

Cover

Red + Special Dust-jacket

Text (dust-jacket)

Presented by

Charles Wicksteed & Co. Ltd.

on the occasion

of their Centenary

1876-1976

Notes

Charles Wicksteed opened his first Engineering shop in 1876 and formed his limited company in 1907, producing bicycle stands, plough parts, tube expanders and other tools. From 1910 to the Great War, sawing machines were in demand, as were munitions. Post-war, a new playground equipment and seating division was formed.

 

The three divisions (playground equipment, sawing machines and tube expanders) were the core of the company until the company was acquired by Dorada Holdings in 1960.

 

1976

Grayston Group Special Binding

 

Edition

23

Notes

Involved in the supply of equipment to the construction industry, Grayston had a number of companies in the group, in the UK and overseas:

 

Cheltenham Crane Hire Limited
Coventry Compressors Limited
Essex Steel Scaffolding Company Limited
Grayston Limited
Masters Crane Hire Limited
Metal Union Limited
Scaffolding Supplies Limited
Surry Scaffolding Limited
Sussex Scaffolding Limited
Turner Scaffolding Limited

Chr. Dey Kraanverhuur B.V. (Holland)
Grayston Plant Hire (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa)
J. G. Van Loenhout B.V. (Holland)
Nederlandse Kraanverhuur B.V. (Holland)
South Rand Plant Hire (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
Van der Vorst Kraanverhuur B.V. (Holland )

 

1976

Hughes Concrete Special Binding

Edition

23

Notes

Hughes Concrete Ltd. of Barnfields, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5QG, which began manufacturing precast concrete pipes and manholes in 1969. The firm was bought by CPM Group Ltd on 1st October 2008.

(Image courtesy of Bruce Read)

 

1976

M & J Engineers Limited Special Binding

Edition

23

Notes

Equipment rental firm in Hitchin, Hertfordshire (established 1955).

 

1976

Sperryn Special Binding

Edition

23

Notes

Sperryn Gas Controls, established 1889.

(Image courtesy of Alan)

 

1976

Wherry & Sons Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

23

Notes

Wherry & Sons is a producer of pulses in Bourne Lincolnshire, and has been in existence for over 200 years. The company was incorporated in 1909.

 

1976

Unknown Company or Unmarked Special Binding

 

Edition

23

Notes

We have an edition possibly marked QA, but the company isn't known.

 

Unmarked editions (and presumably similar unmarked editions from other years) were available for purchase through Christmas gift suppliers. Companies - or individuals - could buy these for distribution to their staff, customers or friends. Once such company was Alfred Bishop & Son (Removals) Ltd. of London, who purchased a dozen copies in this year.

 

 

1977

Mermaid Special Binding

Edition

24

Notes

The cover has a stylised logo with the word "Mermaid" in the bottom right corner.

(Photo: Bruce Read)

 

 

1977

M & J Engineers Limited Special Binding

Edition

24

Notes

Equipment rental firm in Hitchin, Hertfordshire (established 1955).

 

1977

JWIS Chains Ltd. Special Binding

Edition

24

Notes

Sabrina Works, Severnside, Bewdley, Worcs.

 

Possibly the same company that was incorporated in August 1976, became IWIS Chain Limited before becoming IWIS Drive Systems Limited.

 

1978

Ribena Dust-jacket

Edition

24

Text

The 1978 Ribena Year for Records

Introducing the Presenter with the most facts.

 

 

1979

Ford Fiesta 1,000,000 Dust-jacket

Edition

25

Text

Ford Fiesta Europe's Success Car

Record first year sales for any new car range

Record first two years' sales

And now Ford build the millionth Fiesta

 

1979

Van Quality Panel Dust-jacket

Edition

25

Text

Presented to the members of the 1979 Van Quality Panel

 

WITH THANKS FOR YOUR RECORDS

Notes

Barry Rigby kindly provided a copy of an original letter from MIL Research Limited which accompanied these editions. MIL Research Limited was incorporated in 1958 and dissolved in 2002.

 

1979

Ashwell Scott Special Binding

Edition

26

Text

1879-1979 Centenary year

Notes

Ashwell Scott Limited of Northwich, Cheshire was incorporated in 1897

(Image courtesy of Simon Taylor)

 

1979

Clarke Group Special Binding

Edition

26

Notes

Possibly the Clarke Group based in Co. Fermanagh, a family-run firm which was established in the 1930s.

 

 

1979

Climax Dust-jacket

Edition

26

Cover

Red

Text

Climax The Weightlifter

See how the champions do it on stand number 5F50

Notes

We have a copy signed by Louis Martin M.B.E. (twice an Olympic medal winner for Great Britain in the 1960s, and now President of the British Weight Lifters' Association).

 

 

1979

Turriff Special Binding

Edition

26

Notes

Turriff Construction was incorporated in 1962 but is now dissolved.

 

Our copy was donated to the library at Warwick School by D. T. Atack, a director of Turriff Construction Limited.

 

1980

Dorman Special Binding

Edition

27

 

 

1980

Flemings Hotel Special Binding

Edition

27

Notes

Flemings Hotel, Half Moon St, London

(Image courtesy of Sunrise Books Ltd)

 

1980

Pearson Webb Springbett Special Wrapper

Edition

27

Notes

David Springbett of insurance brokers Pearson Webb Springbett (PWS) set the world record for the fastest round the world trip on scheduled flights in January 1980.

 

 

1983

Dorman Special Binding

Edition

30

 

 

1984

Whiskas Dust-jacket

 

Edition

30

Text

25 YEARS OF RECORD-BREAKING GROWTH

1984 whiskas is BEST EVER

© Pedigree Petfoods 1984

Notes

The book has a two-sided colour insert giving the product's growth history and plans for forthcoming advertising campaigns.

(Images and information courtesy of Jonathan Handley)

 

1985

Distillers Dust-jacket

Edition

32

Text

Together we'll be setting new records in 1986

Distillers

The Distillers Company (Home Trade) Limited

Notes

The spine of the dust-jacket says, "The Guinness Book of Records 1986" in white text on a light-blue background. The reverse is blue with no text.

 

 

1985

Goodyear Dust-jacket

 

Edition

32

Text

Goodyear presents the Guinness Book of Records

The most successful tyre company in Grand Prix Racing.

The Goodyear GT tested in the wettest place in Britain.

The World's largest tyre company.

The Goodyear GT. Safety you can feel at the wheel.

 

 

1985

MAT Group Limited Special Binding

Edition

32

Text

MAT Group Limited 60th Anniversary March 1986

Notes

MAT Group Limited is a transport, forwarding and logistics services company, incorporated in 1926.

 

 

1987

Drinkwater Sabey Ltd Special Binding

Edition

34

Text

presented with the compliments of Drinkwater Sabey Ltd

Quarry Products

Waste Disposal

Landfill Restoration

Notes

Drinkwater Sabey was incorporated in 1938.

 

 

1988

Kendrick Hire plc Special Binding and Slip-Case

 

Edition

35

Text

"Following Geoff Cape's successful world record attempt at our Open Day at Brockley, South East London, on 16th June 1988 a limited hardback edition of the Guinness Book of Records was commissioned by Kendrick to commemorate this outstanding feat of strength."

Notes

Kendrick Hire was incorporated in 1973 (as Kendrick Hire Centre Limited) and became Speedy Hire Centres (Southern) Limited in 1995.

 

Geoff Capes' record is featured on page 170 of this edition.

 

The slip-case matches the book's cover, but has an additional Christmas and New Year greeting:

 

 

1988

Walker Group Special Binding

 

Edition

35

Notes

An extra page notes that the Walker Group of Companies achieved record sales of £500 million in 1988 from its interests in steel stockholding, manufacturing  and processing, property, pensions and insurance and aviation.

 

 

1990

Wiltshier Special Binding

Edition

37

Text

Wiltshier

Building Confidence

Notes

Possibly Wiltshier Construction that ceased trading in 2005/2006.

 

 

1992

ATL Dust-jacket

 

Edition

39

Text

Asia Terminals Centre - a joint development between Sea Land Orient Terminals Ltd., New World Development Co. Ltd., and Central Development Ltd. - is the biggest building in the world. As such, you can find us in the "Buildings for Working" section of this book.

Notes

The special dust-jacket featured the record for the Largest Industrial Building - the Asia Terminals Ltd. container freight station at Kwai Chung, Hong Kong [Page 86] - due for completion at the end of 1992.

(Photos courtesy of Adam Teitge)

 

1992

Digital Dust-jacket

 

Edition

39

Text

"the fastest chip in the world"

see page 74...

Notes

The special dust-jacket celebrated the record for the Fastest Chip - the 64-bit DEC Alpha - announced in March 1992.

(Photos courtesy of Dr. Richard Pennington)

 

1993

The Leeds Visa Dust-jacket

 

Edition

40

Text

Leeds Visa raises £5 Million for charity and that's a record!

 

Special edition: presented to runners-up in the Leeds Visa Record Breakers Competition.

Notes

As the dust-jacket says, copies of this edition were given to competition runners-up by The Leeds Permanent Building Society. Through the society's Visa card, donations totalling over £5,000,000 were given to 3 charities: The British Heart Foundation, The Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Mencap.

 

The record itself is on page 148 (though the total was only £4 million at the time the edition went to press).

 

The Leeds Permanent Building Society was founded in 1848 and merged with the Halifax Building Society in 1995.

 

 

1993

Diana Ross Commemorative Edition

 

Edition

40

Produced for

EMI United Kingdom

Text

TO COMMEMORATE HER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AND HER POSITION AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEMALE SOLO POP PERFORMER OF ALL TIME

Notes

The back cover has a complete list of Diana Ross's hit singles from 3rd September 1963 through to 15th March 1993.

 

 

2006

HIT Entertainment Special Edition 2007

Edition

53

Notes

HIT Entertainment produced a number of specially-bound copies of the 2007 edition, for private distribution to the staff of Guinness World Records.

I

n place of the Introduction, pages 6 to 9 of this copy have "The Year in Review" by Bruce Steinberg, who discusses Hit Entertainment's company news for the year.

 

2006

Mileştii Mici Promotional Edition

Edition

53

Notes

Edition specially produced for Mileştii Mici to celebrate their record as the largest wine cellar.

 

The standard Introduction (pages 6 and 7) is replaced by information on the Mileştii Mici world record.

 

2006

Troll Special Edition

 

Edition

53

Produced for

Statoil

Notes

The book has the same contents as the standard edition, except that the normal introduction on pages 6 and 7 is replaced by a 2-page section for Statoil, which begins:

"The heart of the Norwegian gas machine, Troll A has turned 10 years. The field ranks as Europe's largest offshore gas field in production, and will play a central role in the continent's energy security for may years to come."

 

2007

HIT Entertainment Promotional Edition

 

Edition

54

Notes

HIT Entertainment produced a number of specially-bound copies of the 2008 edition, for private distribution to the staff of Guinness World Records.

 

The cover depicts various characters from other HIT Entertainment publications -  "Barney and Friends", "Rainbow Magic", "Bob the Builder", "Thomas and Friends" (front) and "Fireman Sam", "Pingu" and "Angelina Ballerina" (back). The usual price, bar code panel and the "with Glow-in-the-Dark features" text on the front cover are not present. The title on the front page isn't raised as in the standard edition.

 

Rather than the "Editor's Introduction", pages 6 to 9 of this copy have "The Year in Review" by Bruce Steinberg, who discusses Hit Entertainment's company news for the year.

 

2008

Panasonic EVOIA Promotional Edition

 

 

Edition

55

Produced for

Panasonic

Notes

The book has the same contents as the standard edition, except that the normal introduction on pages 6 to 9 is replaced by a 4-page foreword by Panasonic, which begins:

"Panasonic is immensely proud to have been recognized by Guinness World Records for creating the World's No. 1 long lasting AA alkaline battery."

This is a boxed special edition - the box says:

"It's in the Guinness World Records! Shouldn't it be in your store?"

 

 

2008

Sybase Special Edition

 

Edition

55

Produced for

Sybase

Notes

The book has the same contents as the standard edition, except that the normal introduction on pages 6 to 9 is replaced by a 4-page section for Sybase, which begins:

"Pre-eminent on Wall Street and the record holder for delivery of mobile messages, Sybase now adds to its long list of milestones by setting the world record for the largest data warehouse."

 

2009

Emirates Palace Special Edition

Edition

56

Notes

Edition specially produced for the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

 

The standard Introduction (pages 8 to 11) is replaced by information on the Emirates Palace and its records.

 

2010

Nabil Karam Edition

Edition

57

Notes

Specially produced for Billy Karam to celebrate his record for the largest collection of model cars.

The Editor's Letter of the standard edition (pages 8 to 11) is replaced by information on the record for the largest collection of model cars.

We also have a 1:43 scale Porsche GT2 "Guinness World Records" Karam Museum Edition die-cast model (right).

 

2011

Golf Partner Special Edition

Notes

Special 24-page paperback edition produced for Golf Partner Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan to celebrate their two world records: "Largest Golf Chain Store" and "Most Secondhand Golf Clubs Reused".

 

2012

Almajdouie Special Edition

 

 

Edition

59

Notes

Special edition produced for Almajdouie (MPSC Heavy Transport & Lifting) to celebrate the record for the heaviest item moved by road freight.

The Editor's Letter of the standard edition (pages 8 to 11) is replaced by information on the company and its record.

 

2012

Puck Special Edition

Edition

59

Notes

Special edition produced for Puck (from Arla) to celebrate the record for the longest breakfast table.

The Editor's Letter of the standard edition (pages 8 to 11) is replaced by information on the Arla company, the Puck brand and the record.

 

2016

Villa Mix Special Edition

Edition

63

Notes

Special edition celebrating the record for the largest stage rig for a music concert at the Villa Mix Festival.

The Editor's Letter of the standard edition (pages 4 to 7) is replaced by information about the festival company and its record.

 

2016

Gulf Bank

Edition

63

Notes

Edition produced for Gulf Bank to celebrate the record for the largest prize linked to a bank account payout.

The Editor's Letter of the standard edition (pages 4 to 7) is replaced by information about the record and Gulf Bank.